It Started With an Umbrella (A Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction)

Chapter 1

Buzz!

Buzz!

Buzz!

Marinette's hand slapped the top of her alarm clock, silencing it. She groaned and sat up, rubbing her eyes. Birds chirped a happy song outside her window.

"Marinette!" Sabine yelled from downstairs. "It's your first day of senior year, sweetie!"

Marinette could literally feel her shoulders droop. She dreaded getting out of bed. Summer had been a bliss for her. It was so hard to go back to school.

She had spent a significant amount of time over the summer on her designs. After all, being a fashion designer was her ultimate dream. She aspired to work with Gabriel Agreste, but she knew her goal was still a while away.

The best she could hope for in her last year of school is a scholarship to an excellent college. Or, better yet, a chance to work with Gabriel Agreste himself. Was she that talented and worthy? Who knows. But Marinette was certainly going to try her best.

Tikki flew up in front of Marinette's face, smiling happily. "Rise and shine! Your last first day of school is here."

Marinette smiled weakly. "And this year is my last chance to tell Adrien how I really feel about him before we never see each other again."

"Oh, come on, you two will stay friends after school ends."

"But he's a model. You know he'll be traveling the world and what-not," Marinette replied. "I don't want him to leave Paris without knowing how I feel about him."

Tikki sprang up into the air excitedly. "Then what are we waiting for? Get dressed!"

Marinette widened her eyes, snapping out of her glum mood. She frantically raced around her bedroom, looking for her clothes. Neatly folded in her drawer, she pulled out a new outfit. A white laced tank top with a pink floral design on the shoulder, a black chiffon skirt that reached just above her knees, and a pair of rose pink flats.

She smiled at herself in the mirror. Her untamed and loose hair flowed along her shoulders. Should she wear it in her signature pigtails like she always had?

Tikki appeared beside her, smiling tenderly. Marinette glanced over at the kwami. Tikki nodded to her, allowing the decision to be her own.

Marinette faced the mirror again and tilted her head, examining the new look. She shrugged and turned on her heel, allowing her black shiny hair to flow freely. Before she left her room, she slung her signature purse across her shoulder and Tikki jumped in.

Marinette skipped down the steps and entered the kitchen where Sabine was brewing tea. She looked up at her daughter and gasped in surprise.

"Marinette, you look stunning," she nodded. "I love the new look, sweetie."

"Yeah, I decided to change it up a bit this year," Marinette smiled. "It is my last year after all."

"Well it looks great on you," Sabine smiled. "Did you make it?"

Marinette nodded proudly.

"You're going to go far, honey," Sabine laughed, pulling Marinette close. She hugged her lovingly.

"Thanks mom," Marinette replied, embracing the hug. She heard a set of footsteps behind her and turned around.